When looking for a place to live, crime statistics can be an essential factor in deciding if the area is safe. While every state has crime, knowing what types of crimes are common and how often those crimes happen can help you make your decision.
Recently, the FBI looked at crime statistics, and U.S. News and World Report looked at how each state ranked, looking at both property and violent crimes. Overall, Indiana ranked in the middle, coming in at 25th.
Here’s what you should know about the crime rate in Indiana and what crimes tend to happen most often.
Types of crimes
In general, crimes tend to fall into a few different categories. The two most common tend to be violent crimes and property crimes. While there are also white collar crimes, organized crimes and consensual crimes, these happen less frequently.
Most common violent crime
Violent crimes include those that involve force or the threat of force. In Indiana, the most common violent crime is aggravated battery.
Aggravated battery happens when someone knowingly causes an injury that creates a substantial risk of death, permanent disfigurement, protracted loss of a bodily function or the loss of a fetus.
In 2020, there were over 12,000 aggravated battery offenses.
Most common property crime
Although violent crimes tend to make the headlines in the news, property crimes tend to be more common. Rather than committing an offense against a person, a property crime typically involves taking or destroying someone’s property.
In 2020, the most common property crime was theft, with over 86,000 reported thefts in the state.
Facing criminal charges can be confusing and stressful. These charges can have a serious impact on your life and your future. You should talk to a skilled professional if you are facing criminal charges.